Organic farms could have reduced levels of drug-resistant bacteria

Organic farms could have reduced levels of drug-resistant bacteria

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectivesfrom the University of Maryland shows that organic farms have lower levels of drug-resistant enterococci bacteria in livestock.

Amy Sapkota, along with and her team, looked at 10 intensive poultry farms and 10 organic chicken houses. They checked for enterococci bacteria in chicken litter, feed, and the water, and found that organic farms could have lower levels of drug-resistant bacteria The study also says resistance was checked in 17 common antimicrobials.

Amy Sapkota said: “We initially thought we would see some differences in on-farm levels of antibiotic-resistant enterococci when poultry farms transitioned to organic practices, but we were surprised to see that the differences were so significant across several different classes of antibiotics even in the very first flock of birds that was produced after the transition to organic standards.”

This confirms what the organic farmers, and green farming folk have been saying for years. It seems quite obvious that if poultry is allowed to free range naturally with space , you get out, and if we want healthy chicken meat and sunshine they will be healthier – it does not take rocket science. What you put in, is what you get out. If you want healthy chicken meat then organic poultry farming is the only way to go! Chicken farmers who over medicate their chickens are creating problems through out the supply chain – from eggs to meat, to the environment. Say no to poultry antibiotics, say no to caged poultry farming, say no to our foods being contaminated for money.

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